My guess for the main reason that the Lego Imperial Star Destroyer (Lego item 10030) is marked for ages 16+ is that it is really huge - over 3,100 pieces and is more than 3 feet long. It could be that a project this big might be a lesson in patience for ten year old but perhaps a teenager would be more patient, or less likely to lose pieces. It could also be that 3,100 legos might actually be heavy for some ten year olds to lift - when moving the box or the finished assembly. Because the set is so big and heavy, building it requires properly building the load-bearing structure on the inside to hold it all together (it's still made out of legos). I think it also uses some Technic type pieces, which are a step up from regular Lego bricks).
The Lego Death Star II is also marked as 16+ - probably for the same reason - it has more than 3,400 pieces. Some of the other Lego Ultimate Collector Series Star Wars sets are marked 14+ (Y-Wing and AT-ST).
They also set higher age suggestions on these items so that people don't confuse them with the Star Wars lego kits designed for 7-12 year olds that perhaps have a tenth as many pieces.
A ten year old who is accomplished with Legos could enjoy these complicated sets as much as a teenager. However it might not make for a good "first" Lego kit for a ten year old.
Perfect for young or old Star Wars fans, the LEGO Kids' Star Wars Darth Maul Watch features a fun, colorful dial with a cartoon image of Darth Maul and his interconnected lightsabers. The white hour and minute hands and Arabic numeral hour indexes make it fun to tell time...
Perfect for young or old Star Wars fans, the LEGO Kids' Star Wars R2-D2 Watch features a fun, colorful dial with a cartoon image of R2D2. The white hour and minute hands and Arabic numeral hour indexes make it fun to tell time...
From internationally acclaimed director Claude Lelouch (A Man and a Woman) comes a sweeping epic chronicling three generations whose lives revolve around the magic of music. In an unforgettable dual role, James Caan (The Godfather) heads an all-star international cast through decades of global turmoil, from pre-World War II Europe to a powerful finale in the 1960s...
From Naples in 1914 a luxury liner sets out to bury the ashes of an operatic soprano, as a journalist comments on the exploits of the interesting people on this \voyage of life."Genre: Foreign Film - ItalianRating: UNRelease Date: 7-SEP-1999Media Type: DVD"""
Get the inside story behind some of rap music's most infamous conflicts, from the earliest feuds between rival MCs to the highly-publicized East Coast/West Coast war that allegedly claimed the lives of Notorious B...
"I bought a car. Turned out to be an alien robot. Who knew?" deadpans Sam Witwicky, hero and human heart of Michael Bay's rollicking robot-smackdown fest, Transformers. Witwicky (the sweetly nerdy Shia LaBeouf, channeling a young John Cusack) is the perfect counterpoint to the nearly nonstop exhilarating action...
James Cagney thrills in a rare (and limber) song-and-dance performance as composer-entertainer George M. Cohan. This nostalgic biography is told in flashbacks, covering Cohan's formative years becoming Broadway's brightest star and touching upon his loves, musicals, and artistic triumphs...
With the Corsair Vengeance M60 Laser Gaming Mouse you get maximum precision and response from the Avago ADNS-9500 LaserStream™ Gaming Sensor, even on high resolution displays. Superior ergonomics and a dedicated sniper button will make the M60 laser gaming mouse your favorite weapon of mass destruction...
With the Corsair Vengeance M90 Gaming Mouse you get maximum precision and response from the Avago ADNS-9500 LaserStream™ gaming sensor, even on high resolution displays. Store up to 6 profiles in memory on the Vengeance M90 laser gaming mouse, so you can easily save your character profiles, favorite macros and frequently used keys...
If you want stunning Full HD 1080p and streaming entertainment, you've found it with the BD630 Network Blu-ray Disc Player. Now experience Full HD 1080p unrivaled picture quality, the sound of Blu-ray technology along with the possibilities of having direct access to streaming content from Netflix, CinemaNow, Vudu and YouTube...
I-Phone case fit Apple 4 & 4S models. Case is made of plastic with an aluminum metal insert and high resolution graphics (NOT a sticker). Graphics are printed with high-gloss UV resistant inks to give you a one of a kind look to your I-phone...
Summary:Boba Fett-Uccine and Princess Leia Danish Dos are just the beginning when the Force is with you in the kitchen. Wookiee Cookies is your invitation to fine culinary experiences in the Star Wars frame of mind...
Y: THE LAST MAN writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN returns to comics with red-hot artist FIONA STAPLES for an all-new ONGOING SERIES! Star Wars-style action collides with Game of Thrones-esque drama in this original sci-fi/fantasy epic for mature readers, as new parents Marko and Alana risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war...
Wear your love for Star Wars right on your back! A fun and unique way to store your belongings Squeezable and collectible. Get the ultimate in Wookiee protection with this Chewbacca Back Buddy. You'll never feel safer than with everyone's favorite 'walking carpet' on your back and holding your stuff! Take home this useful little Wookiee today!
The Star Wars back buddy hangs on your back with two straps to put your arms through.
Lego Star Wars Toyfair 2009 Pictures
Barack Obama's Mythic Hero Image: an Appraisal
A brief overview of the main newspapers, news sites and TV channels shows that, despite the fact it's been a month since the US election, "Obamania" is still in full swing. Obama has become something of a popular culture icon, on the par of Madonna, Batman and rock stars. It has then occurred to me that Obama’s image and story can be compared to Joseph Campbell’s myth of the Hero, which Campbell called the “monomyth” (1). Whether consciously or unconsciously, people – and sometimes Obama himself – tend to project this image upon him. As early as 2006, he was called star and legend (2), and recently I have even read an online blog where the writer called him ‘savior’! (3) Mind you, I’m not laying a claim of profound originality on this – I discovered then that George Lucas has already made note of Obama following the Hero’s Journey (4) and there are two bloggers that talked about it, albeit sketchily (5, 6). However, I would like to look at this more in detail than the others I have read - and this article will be lengthier than most others!
Let’s start with the beginning. For those that don’t know, Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) was one of the foremost mythologists of his age (7). He is primarily remembered for his groundbreaking book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. It is in this one that he articulated the myth of the hero’s journey, which directly influenced George Lucas’ Star Wars, Disney’s The Lion King, and countless movies and books ever since (8). The book ‘deconstructs’ the journey of the hero in three parts. It is my intention here to compare these with the story of Obama’s rise to power and Presidency.
Preliminary:
As per Campbell’s analysis, the hero is someone naturally special, singled out in some manner amongst his peers. Born of an African father and white mother, Obama’s mixed heritage has marked him out as a ‘special’ person right from the start. Furthermore, a characteristic of the Campbellian hero is that he is often cast aside by his family as in the story of Moses. This is an archetype Obama fits very well: he was abandoned, only two years old, by his Kenyan father Barack Obama Sr, whom he met only once more in his lifetime. This has had a major impact on him, according to his best-selling autobiography Dreams from My Father (9).
Part I: Departure
1. The Call to Adventure: the hero receives a beacon call, often from another person (called a ‘herald’) Obama describes a moment of self-awakening in his book Dreams from My Father, when he realizes, following one-year work with a corporate firm, that his calling was to work for the poor (10).
2. Refusal of the Call – sometimes, the hero initially refuses the call for action. This is an optional element in Campbell’s book that does not apply to Obama, who comes across as a positive and ambitious person.
3. Supernatural Aid – the hero is helped by a protective figure that gives him support In youth, Obama’s main support seem to have been his mother, Stanley Ann Durnham, and his grandfather Stanley Durnham, who acted as a surrogate father (11). In politics, an important figure was Illinois State Senator Emil Jones, the leader of the Democrats. His wife, whom Obama has called his ‘rock’ also had an important influence on his political career.
4. The Crossing of the First Threshold – the hero must pass a first test to enter into the new world of heroic action There were some key decisive moments in Obama’s life that shaped his future career as a politician. One was his decision after two years of attending Occidental College in California to transfer to Columbia University, where he graduated in political science. Another, to seek a low-paid job as a community organizer in Chicago. Thirdly, his decision after two years of working in Chicago to go to Harvard Law School.
5. The Belly of the Whale – the hero must pass through an initiatory trial that involves a descent into a dark or dangerous realm In Dreams of My Father, Obama presented his darkest moments as the heavy consumption of drugs and alcohol both at Punahou high school and at the Occidental College. Obama confessed to becoming a “pothead” in order to “push questions of who I was out of my mind” (12). Eventually, however, he got his life in order by moving from Occidental College to Columbia University. Part II: Initiation
1. Road of Trials – succession of obstacles Barack Obama has encountered a number of obstacles that he has surpassed in political ascendancy. The first was the candidature for the Illinois State Senate in 1996, when he had to eliminate better titled candidates. He succeeded, albeit using what some critics said as being unfair tactics – he successfully challenged the voting campaign of both candidates who were hence legally suspended from the contest (13). The second obstacle was his failed candidacy to US House of Representatives in 2000, when he was defeated by incumbent Bobby Rush by two to one. This was a sore defeat, the only time when he considered giving up politics altogether (14). He didn’t, and Obama learned many useful aspects of campaigning from this attempt. In 2004, he successfully run his candidacy for US Senate. Finally, in 2007, he obtained the endorsement of the Democrats for Presidency against the better titled Hillary Clinton.
2. The Meeting with the Goddess – marriage between the hero and a queenlike or mother-like figure In 1988, Obama met Michelle Robinson, a fellow Harvard Law graduate, while he was doing a summer internship at law firm Sidley Austin. He married her in 1992. Obama is deeply admirative of his wife, whom he called “his rock”. He speaks of her, “There’s something about her that projects such honesty and strength. It’s what makes her such an unbelievable professional, and partner, and mother, and wife” (15).
3. Woman as the Temptress – rejection of a powerful female figure A read of Obama’s life shows that he seems to respect or even admire female figures. First was his mother Stanley Ann; then there was Michelle Obama. Finally there were other political mentors like Alice Palmer (16). If there was one woman whom Obama had to ‘reject’ it was Hillary Clinton, his Democrat counter-candidate for Presidency. Nevertheless, Obama did not seem to harbor bad feelings toward Hillary, neither did she act in a ‘corruptive’ sort of manner toward Obama.
4. Atonement with the Father – reconciliation with the tyrant and merciful aspects of a father-like authority figure As Dreams of My Father shows, Obama was affected by the absence of his father, Barack Obama Sr (17). An important part of young Obama’s life was taken by his effort to reconcile his father’s absence with his ever-present racial heritage.
5. Apotheosis – the hero’s expansion of the self, or profound alteration of the perception of reality Obama’s first apotheosis was his famed 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention, that would bring him into the spotlight and change the course of his career. Obama’s final apotheosis was his candidacy and success to the bid for the Democratic nomination in 2007.
6. Ultimate Boon – the hero obtains a key item or victory His first major victory was his landslide win in the US Senate in 2004; next, his Democratic nomination in 2007 and finally, his election as President in 2008.
Part III: Return
1. Refusal of the Return – having attained enlightenment or bliss, the hero may not want to return to the ordinary world This is not the case in Obama’s case, since his victory was attained in the ‘ordinary’ world, not some otherwordly or mythical land. Furthermore, he has always been an ambitious figure, who would not settle in one place but aim higher (18), (19).
2. Magic Flight – the hero may have to wrestle the ‘boon’ Obama had to pull all his stops in the Democratic presidential nomination of 2007, which had to be wrestled from much better-titled Hillary Clinton.
3. Rescue from Without – the hero may need supernatural support to bring the boon into the ordinary world There were several moments when Obama’s ‘lucky streak’ played in. It isn't a coincidence that Washington Post, in an article from August 2007, called his ascent to US Senate as “A Series of Fortunate Events” (20). They recorded how in 2004 his win for US Senate was helped by the decision of Peter Fitzgerald, the incumbent Senator, not to run for his own seat again, by the domestic abuse charges brought against Democrat counter candidate Blair Hull, who was the favorite for the seat just one month before the election and by Republican counter candidate Jack Ryan’s domestic sex scandal. Obama eventually came in to win the Senate seat by a landslide victory: 70% (21).
4. Crossing the Return Threshold – the hero returns to the ordinary world The ‘return threshold’ is undoubtedly the win of the American Presidency, which was both a challenge and a given – following his win of the Democrat nomination over Hillary Clinton.
5. Master of the Two Worlds – the hero pertains both the divine and human worlds Following his political ascendancy and experience, Obama is now seen as fit to run the USA and able to share his vision to the American people.
6. Freedom to Live – the hero bestows the boon to his fellows. Once he has won the Presidency, Obama is now in the position of contributing to the betterment of American life and of improving America’s tarnished image abroad.
Conclusions: Barack Obama’s story and image fits quite well with Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” pattern, even if it does not flow in a linear fashion as Campbell designed it. This is, after all, natural: Campbell was disecting single-story fairy tales and books, but Obama is real-life figure and his life goes beyond the imaginary.
On the other hand, one aspect worth noting is that Campbell’s pattern does not go beyond point 6 where the hero is in the position of bestowing the ‘boon’ to the other people. Obama must go beyond the Campbellian heroic journey into the actual work of sharing the boon. Currently, Obama is a hero because of his past, and the symbol of change, youth and racial unity that he symbolizes. However, it is his long-run work that will define him as a true hero.
References:
(1) Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New York: Pantheon Books. (6) Cocca, C. (2008). Barack Obama and the Hero’s Journey. Online. Available at: http://christophercocca.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/barack-obama-and-the-heros-journey/. Accessed on 11 Nov 2008. (3) Edinger, R. (2008). Obama Rocks: America and the Planet. Online. Available at: http://www.obamabook.org/obama_book_introduction.html. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. (2) Graff, G. (2006). The Legend of Barack Obama. The Washingtonian, 1 Nov. Available at: http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/1836.html. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. (11) Jones, T. (2004). Barack Obama: Mother Not Just a Girl from Kansas. Chicago Herald Tribune, 27 Mar. Online. Available at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-0703270151mar27-archive,0,2623808.story?page=1. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. (9), (10), (12), (17) Obama, B. (2004). Dreams from My Father. New York: Three Rivers Press. (5) Snapp, M. (2008). Obama Walks the Hero’s Journey… Contra Costa Times. Online. Available at: http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/2008/03/obama-walks-heros-journey.html. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. ] (4) The Huffington Post. (2008). George Lucas on Obama: A Hero in the Making. Online. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/04/george-lucas-on-obama-a-h_n_105102.html/ Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. (7), (8) Wikipedia. (2008). Joseph Campbell. Online. Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell . Accessed on 10 Nov 2008. (13), (16) Jackson, D & Long, R. (2007). Barack Obama: Showing His Bare Knuckles. Chicago Herald Tribune, 4 Apr. Online. Available at: www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-0704030881apr04-archive,0,5507395.story. Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. (14), (20), (21) Mundy, L. (2007). A Series of Fortunate Events. Washington Post, 12 Aug. Online. Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/08/AR… Accessed on 10 Nov 2008. (15) Parsons, C., Japsen, B. & Secter, B. Barack’s Rock: Michelle Obama. (2007). Chicago Herald Tribune, 22 Apr. Online. Available at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-070422michelle-story-archive,0,56722.story?page=1 . Accessed on 09 Nov 2008. (18) Pearson, R. & Long, R. (2007)Barack Obama: Careful Steps, Looking Ahead. Chicago Herald Tribune, 3 May. Available at: www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0705030101may03-archive,0,2521558.story . Accessed on 10 Nov 2008. (19) Dorning, M. & Parsons, C. (2007). Carefully Crafting the Barack Obama Brand. Chicago Herald Tribune, 12 Jun. Online. Available at:www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-obama_senate_recordjun12-archive,0,3195588.story . Accessed on 10 Nov. 2008.
About the Author
Jo Hedesan is currently studying a MA in Western Esotericism at University of Exeter. She is a member of the European Society for the Study of Esotericism (ESSWE) and American Association for Study of Esotericism (ASE). She has published several journal articles and has presented papers at scholarly conferences on the topic of esotericism and history. She is writing a blog on esoteric topics and research at http://www.esotericoffeehouse.com
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Wish it can help, good luck!
Chris Trevas’s whole career is built around creating illustrations of Star Wars Images for various formats. The realms of pop culture-spawned artwork are overwhelming.
pacalin:
I guess this is one way to get your kids to listen.
I own the Asus G71 (the model before the G72) and my roommate has the G72. I would prefer the laptop over my xbox 360, any day of the week. It will far outperform the Xbox. There are actually very few games not available on the PC that are available on the Xbox. So, you'll be able to play what you want. Plus, there are many more types of games available on the PC that aren't available on any console. Not to mention all the other functions that a laptop will do that an Xbox won't do. So, this was an easy choice for me and I'm assuming it will be for you, as well.
The Republic Era is drastically different in beliefs to the Empire Era. In the Republic Era, people can be emphatic to droids. In the Empire Era everything is a tool.
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Which Star Wars Film Makes the Best Action Movie? w/ images by & #MayTheForceBeWithKatie
30 Images Of Star Wars Behind The Scenes
Star wars characters Holidays post comment: Includes official news, information on episodes, and images.. Star W…
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Wish it can help, good luck!
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Wish it can help, good luck!
New Zealand is minting money, legal tender, with Star Wars Images on it. #omgwtfbbq #maytheforcebewithyou
I'm sorry but I really could not care less that Europe is dismayed.
Chris Trevas’s whole career is built around creating illustrations of Star Wars Images for various formats. The realms of pop culture-spawned artwork are overwhelming.
pacalin:
I guess this is one way to get your kids to listen.
(by Chris Trevas) – http://hyperallergic.tumblr.com/post…
I own the Asus G71 (the model before the G72) and my roommate has the G72. I would prefer the laptop over my xbox 360, any day of the week. It will far outperform the Xbox. There are actually very few games not available on the PC that are available on the Xbox. So, you'll be able to play what you want. Plus, there are many more types of games available on the PC that aren't available on any console. Not to mention all the other functions that a laptop will do that an Xbox won't do. So, this was an easy choice for me and I'm assuming it will be for you, as well.
Wikipedia is the source of MOST knowledge. They're information is highly edited and reviewed by pros
Cool Star Wars Images: A few nice Star Wars images I found: Star Wars: Episode 7 – Vader’s Big I… #starwars
The Republic Era is drastically different in beliefs to the Empire Era. In the Republic Era, people can be emphatic to droids. In the Empire Era everything is a tool.